Tkay Maidza, Julia Jacklin, Just A Gent, Montaigne,
Christie Lamb, Zaachariaha Fielding + many more
in line for a share of $135,000 cash prize pool

40 Australian songwriters and composers across the categories of Popular Contemporary, Classical, Jazz, Film & Television, Country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andDance/Electronic have today been announced as finalists in the 2017 APRA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS (PDAs).

This year, 60% of the finalists are women, and the PDAs shortlist features an exciting mix of songwriters and composers including many whose profiles are already on the rise.

Held every two years, the APRA PDAs create serious opportunities for emerging songwriters and composers – just ask previous winners Gotye, Abbe May, Timothy Carroll, Ruby Boots, Briggs, Vassy, Jeremy Rose and screen composer Caitlin Yeo who have all benefited from this career boosting initiative.

A panel of local judges comprising Lior, Mia Dyson, Johannes Luebbers, James Blundell, Brooke McClymont, Cat Hope, Dan Zilber, Kevin Bennett, Leah Flanagan, John Ferris and more have determined this group of music creators who are in the running to take home a career-changing cash prize of $15,000. A complete list of this year’s PDAs judges can be found here.

Five finalists have also been named for the Indigenous Music and Media Award from Smugglers of Light, a foundation set up in memory of Eli Westlake, who was tragically killed in 2008 at the age of 21. Eric Avery, Gina Williams, Jessica Hitchcock, Yirrmal Marika and Zaachariaha Fieldingare all in the running to receive this very special award and a grant of $12,000.

The winners of the APRA PDAs will be announced on 25 July 2017.

Without further ado, drum roll please for the finalists of the 2017 APRA PDAs: